Phono Preamps... worth it?

I've recently started looking into phono preamps since i'm using a relatively cheap yamaha hi-fi amp for sampling. I was wondering if a nice little phono preamp would improve my sample quality.

My setup:

- MPC2000XL
- Technics SL1210 MKII (shure cartridge)

My question basically... do you guys think it's worth it to get a good phono preamp when i'm using a DJ turntable and an old sampler? Or is it overkill?

do you feel sound is degraded by your current setup ?...im using some pioneer preamp and eq from the 70-80's

konc3pt wrote:do you feel sound is degraded by your current setup ?...im using some pioneer preamp and eq from the 70-80's

That's probably a good thing, and not as jenky as you make it sound, given the quality of even regular home gear back then.

Jibber a phono pre-amp would be an improvement in all likelihood, but most people use a DJ mixer if they are in need of a pre-amp. Also I used to use a 1990's Kenwood for the same purpose and those recordings are to this day the best sounding things in my whole iTunes library. maybe check your levels and make sure you not clipping on the digital recording.

My levels are fine, i always make sure that i don't get clipping.

I'm not unhappy with how my samples sound when using this yamaha amp, but i thought maybe it's the weakest point in my setup.

The thing is, it's not an old amp, it's like from 2007. Maybe it's just me, but i don't trust (cheap) modern hardware a lot. Recently i had a friend bring over a 15 year old sony amp, and even tho one channel was not working anymore, i could tell the sound was much more "full", warm and richer in detail (dunno how to describe it best)... my yamaha amp sounds thin in comparison. On a sidenote, the difference in weight between those amps was drastic... mine is light as a feather, while the old one is real heavy...

As i said, it's not because i'm unhappy with my current setup. I just feel like i could maybe improve the quality of my samples quite a bit with a dedicated phono preamp (as in, getting the best sound out of my records... depth, details, warmth, etc).

I've looked at various models... Rega Fono Mini, Grado PH-1, Vanguard 1, Project Tube Box, etc etc.
They all get good comments in forums and good reviews, but at the same time i'm wondering if it's just a bunch of audiophiles with too much money to spend (i also came accross some sites with RIAA circuit shematics that tell you it's possible to build the same quality phono preamps that those companies are selling, but for a fraction of the money).

I guess i'm trying to find out if it's all just hype or actually worth it.

It's hard to find places/stores in switzerland where i can actually test them... nobody ever has anything in stock over here. Otherwise i'd simply take my amp to a store and make a direct comparison.

If it's fine for you, then save your money, own your own style, knowwhatimean?

Keep your eyes in the junk store...I've found all my preamps there for usually <$2.

Find a cheap one, try it, then decide. I don't think you are going to have some sort of revelation after you drop a bunch of cash on a preamp.
You could also keep your eyes open for an old EQ, and use that in between the amp and your mpc, and tweak each one sample if you want.

This is all just my opinion, I like to let the gear come to me...you can find anything and everything on fleabay/internet shops but is that really a good thing?

nogginj wrote:If it's fine for you, then save your money, own your own style, knowwhatimean?

Keep your eyes in the junk store...I've found all my preamps there for usually <$2.

Find a cheap one, try it, then decide. I don't think you are going to have some sort of revelation after you drop a bunch of cash on a preamp.
You could also keep your eyes open for an old EQ, and use that in between the amp and your mpc, and tweak each one sample if you want.

This is all just my opinion, I like to let the gear come to me...you can find anything and everything on fleabay/internet shops but is that really a good thing?

I agree, unless you're running through something like a UAD or TLA box you probably wouldn't hear a huge difference. The EQ suggestion is excellent, as Pete Rock has openly stated that after his move to a 200XL he was disappointed in the quality of what went in the XL compared to his SP1200. His solution was to start EQing everything to his liking at the sampling stage. If not that sell the XL and get a 4000 with it's built in phono amp.

this is what Im using if it helps any, bought it at local garage sale for $25, you dont gotta shell out big $$$ if you look around.

pioneer spec 1


pioneer sg 9800

konc3pt wrote:this is what Im using if it helps any, bought it at local garage sale for $25, you dont gotta shell out big $$$ if you look around.

pioneer spec 1


pioneer sg 9800

I'm 39 that's that ish I grew up on, nice.

^^ HELLUVA HIFI YOU GOT THERE


I'm curious, for those of yall that use these hifis/amps as preamps for sampling, how do you monitor your mpc? Headphones? Separate monitors? Another HiFi?

Just curious.

Metatron72 wrote:

konc3pt wrote:this is what Im using if it helps any, bought it at local garage sale for $25, you dont gotta shell out big $$$ if you look around.

pioneer spec 1


pioneer sg 9800

I'm 39 that's that ish I grew up on, nice.

you're a lucky fella, Im going on 26 in a month but wish I was brought up 20yrs earlier before they discovered they can substitute metal with plastic...cuz that eq and amp feel quality, If I hit somebody with any of those heavy ass aluminum knobs, instant death

nogginj wrote:^^ HELLUVA HIFI YOU GOT THERE

thanks dude my girl hooked it up, she was driving somewhere on a sunday noon and called me up to let me know there is a garage sale and looks like some audio equipment I was out the door the same second...

I also got this with the other two, all for twenty five bones...checked on ebay they're few hundred each.

nogginj wrote:

I'm curious, for those of yall that use these hifis/amps as preamps for sampling, how do you monitor your mpc? Headphones? Separate monitors? Another HiFi?

Just curious.

As far as monitoring mpc, turntable hooked up to amp, then to eq then to record in to mpc and mpc stereo outs are hooked up to my audio interface.

WOW nice hi-fi!!! I grew up with a Maranz hi-fi (not my own but my dad got one) and this was dope too but this pioneer is more beautiful and bigger and I bet its real heavy. 25 is a steal. Buy your girl something she really likes

@nogginj: many of the old hifi amps have a monitoring system integrated into the Tape signal path.
In case of this setup it could be connected like this like this

The turntable is connected with the phono in
The Tape1 Rec (output) would be connected to the MPC input
The MPC output goes to the Tape1 Play (input)

The Soundcard ins could be connected to the Tape2 Rec
The Soundcard outs to the Tape2 Play

You can monitor the different inputs with a click of a switch (Tape Monitor switch). There are 3 switch positions.
1. No monitor : you hear the turntable (or any other source that the source knob is set to)
2. Monitor 1: you hear the MPC
3. Monitor 2: you hear the soundcard

peace

Thanks for all the input. I guess if i ever get the chance to directly compare one of those phono amps i'll give it a try...

...in the meanwhile i'll go on a hunt for vintage hi-fi equipment.

here is another alternative:

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3401-bella ... reamp.aspx

konc3pt wrote:

That reminds me of the EQ in Ferris Bueller's day Off.

peterpiper wrote:WOW nice hi-fi!!! I grew up with a Maranz hi-fi (not my own but my dad got one) and this was dope too but this pioneer is more beautiful and bigger and I bet its real heavy. 25 is a steal. Buy your girl something she really likes

thanks, I heard marantz is top quality audiophile stuff and top dollar...it is heave as hell internet says 25pounds and it sure feel like it...now why would I spend money on something my girl likes...when she got me and Im free but my toys arent so as long as Im happy she will be too but you're right I should do it...she just hooked me up with round trip air fare tix to ny for my bday

Coz wrote:

konc3pt wrote:

That reminds me of the EQ in Ferris Bueller's day Off.

lol nice but it actually makes sense cuz these joints costed few hundred dollars back in mid 70's early 80's or so I read. that was big big money back then only rich could swing